Google Maps API Key

Google Maps API Key

The Google Maps API allows your SiteWrench site to embed Google Maps into pages or retrieve data from Google Maps. The customization for these maps varies based on the tools used and data supplied by Google.

Any SiteWrench site that uses the Locator or the Store Directory page parts, must have a Google Maps API Key to function.

What do I need to do?

Your Google Maps API Key

If You already have your own Google Maps API Key...

You may just need to get the key from https://cloud.google.com/. If it's not currently tied to a billable account, you'll need to follow Google’s Guide for Existing Users with this Transition Tool. The Transition Tool will guide you through the process of adding billing to your existing projects, securing your keys, and onboarding in the new Google Maps Platform Console

Setting up a new Google billing account and obtaining the API key...

3. Create a new project and give it a name so you can easily find what it is. (i.e. website Locations page part)

4. If you don’t have a Billing Account through your Google account already, you will have to enable a billing account. Google will supply you with this pop-up so that you can create a billing account.

5. From here you will confirm the country where your organization resides, and then set up your Payments Profile. Google may display your individual Google account’s profile as the default, but you can click on the downward-facing carrot next to your profile to allow you to create a new payments profile. The new payments profile is a good option if you’d like to make this a business account and add your business billing address and credit card. Finally, Google will have you set up a payment method, whether that is a debit card, credit card, or bank account.

Google states, “You pay for this service only after you accrue costs, via an automatic charge when you reach your billing threshold or 30 days after your last automatic payment, whichever comes first.”

6. Then submit and enable billing.

7. After you submit your billing, you will be taken to enable your Google Maps API to enable the platform. Select “Next,” and they will supply you with a string of letters and numbers similar to this. Copy your API key.

8. Go to your SiteWrench site to the general Settings. Paste your API key into the field and scroll down to click save.

How much the Google API will cost you to use?

It is unlikely that you will need to pay for this service. Google is comping each client $200 free every month. Here's what they said about it:

“With this new plan, developers will receive the first $200 of monthly usage for free. We estimate that most of you will have monthly usage that will keep you within this free tier. With this new pricing plan you’ll pay only for the services you use each month with no annual, up-front commitments, termination fees or usage limits. And we’re rolling out free customer support for all.” (quoted from Google’s announcement)

Google estimates that 98% of clients using the Google Maps API will not exceed the free $200 credit. The payment method you set up will be billed if you exceed that $200 limit. You can read more about Google’s pricing and billing changes here.